The description of this novel does it a complete disservice because it makes it sound like a much more interesting novel than it is. “Passionate, doomed romance?” “Star-crossed lovers reincarnate across history” – this all sounds interesting but it’s also completely inaccurate because the “doomed romance” that starts it all? It’s a middle aged man taking advantage of a 16 year old girl – like literally, it starts on the day of her 16th birthday. It doesn’t clarify Marchant’s age but he is an established artist, married and his beard is fully grey so I’m going with at least mid 30s to 40s.
This isn’t a doomed love affair, this is an abusive power dynamic. Star-crossed lovers means I should be interested in them as a couple (even if it turns out there is another man trapped in this curse that is a better match) and buy the passion but instead, we keep getting kind of boring men that are interested in Juliet/Nora/Sandra/Helen but not really that into her while she is desperately into them. Even Helen seems rather forgiving of Marchant when she discovers the story as a 21st century woman and reflects on the love she felt for him rather than the fact that she was a child.
There’s also a surprising amount of sexual abuse and domestic abuse (beyond the statutory rape) in this story as Helen remembers her previous lives. Overall, we keep being told how magnetic and extraordinary Juliet/Nora etc are but Helen especially is bland and boring, Juliet a petulant child, even with all the tragic turns of her life.
It’s especially frustrating because all the parts should be interesting- Helen’s previous lives cover late 19th century Paris, 1930s Hollywood and the 1970s rock music scene and yet it just all felt a bit dragged out and lifeless. Also, apparently being a demon who is in charge of administrating a curse comes with great financial acumen because Luke inhabits this world of luxury and wealth. Thanks to the curse, Juliet goes from being part of farming family in the countryside of France to having private tutors, a tour to Italy and closets full of luxury gowns. Helen also lives this oddly blessed life in Washington DC with a successful magazine … like, this book didn’t quite convince me the curse was that bad – two boring and insufferable people are bond together for eternity but with artistic and financial success? Poor them. Also, I wanted more witch stuff than just some vague powers of suggestion or healing – the whole Helen becoming more powerful life over life barely seemed to have an impact on the plot or outcome.